Drink Here Now: Five Places to Sip This Week

Image provided by Fifth Floor restaurant, which is hosting a cocktail pairing dinner with New York Distilling Company.

Casa Indio Peformance PartiesIndio beer, the dark Mexican lager, is teaming up with VICE media and the Rebuilding Exchange to host Casa Indio, a series of live performances by renowned artists from Mexico and the US. From October 29 through November 9, party-goers can witness almost-nightly performances of music, art and culture. Each evening’s line-up is a little bit different, featuring live mural painting, screen-printing workshops, locally-sourced munchies, street art, and live music by Los Macuanos, I Can Chase Dragons!, MWG, Francisco y Madero, ORO 11, and others. RSVP is required, and admission is a $1 donation to Rebuilding Exchange at the door. Complimentary Indio beer is included. 1425 Folsom @ 10th.

18th Annual Winterfest Party & Fundraiser for SF Bicycle CoalitionBeer and bicycles are the perfect combination at San Francisco Bicycle Coalition’s annual Winterfest Party, slated for this Sunday, November 3, from 6 pm to 10:30 pm. Bicycle-themed auctions abound inside the City View at the Metreon Rooftop. Bid on more than a dozen bikes and original, bicycle-inspired art from more than 50 artists. Purchase $20 worth of raffle tickets to get a “FastPass” for the wine and beer bar as well as a chance at winning four different prizes, including a bicycle of your choice from Valencia Cyclery. Advance tickets are available online. Members pay $20 for entry, or $35 for entry plus a bottomless beer glass. New and renewing members pay $45 and $60, respectively, with membership included. Tickets will be sold at the door for $5 - $10 more. The Metreon, 135 4th St. @ Mission.

Spooky Cocktails at Cafe PescatoreIf you haven’t yet gotten your fill of Halloween-themed cocktails, Cafe Pescatore is ready to serve you. They’ve added half a dozen spooky cocktails to the bar menu, complete with dry ice. The Corpse Revival #2 combines gin, Lillet, Cointreau and lime, while the Vampire’s Kiss keeps it simple with vodka and Chambord. The Jack O’ Lantern is a mixture of Remy VSOP, Grand Marnier, orange juice and ginger ale. The Green Fairy is made of La Fey Absinthe and lime, while the Black and Scary Cola combines Black Cherry Effen Vodka, Grenadine and cola. Or you can stick with a classic Bloody Mary, as long as you say it three times while looking in the mirror. 2455 Mason @ North Point.

Cocktail Pairing Dinner at Fifth FloorFor one night only, the Fifth Floor restaurant in Union Square is teaming up with the New York Distilling Company to serve a four-course tasting menu paired with cocktails. On Tuesday, November 5, Chef David Bazirgan will prepare the meal, bar manager Brian Means will mix the cocktails, and New York Distilling Company’s Allen Katz will be on hand to meet and greet guests. The menu ($95/person) includes cured Mt. Lassen trout, foie gras, squab and ile flottante. Each course is paired with a specially-designed cocktail (plus tax and gratuity). The squab, for instance, will be paired with the Ricky Bobby, made of Chief Gowanus gin, lime, orgeat and huckleberries. Dinner service begins at 5:30 pm, and reservations are recommended. 12 4th St @ Market.

Friday Night at the de YoungCelebrate “Illusions” this Friday night at the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park. The doors open at 5 p.m. for this free weekly showcase of live music and dance, film screenings, and hands-on art activities. Wander into the Wilsey Court to explore the wonders of illusion with performances by the Vau de Vire Society, an iPad painting demonstration by Jeremy Sutton and painting portraits on the iPad with Dana Zed. In the Koret Auditorium, you can take in a screening of the 70-minute film, David Hockney: Secret Knowledge. You can also make your own art in the lobby, which a helping hand from the museum’s teaching artists. Specialty cocktails and a prix-fixe menu are available in the café, and the observation tower is open until 8 p.m. 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr. Golden Gate Park.